Charming Cuddlebug: A Delightful Crochet Ladybug Toy

Materials Needed:

• Red Vanna's Choice yarn
• Black Vanna's Choice yarn
• G (4.0 mm) crochet hook
• Safety eyes (12 mm)
• Polyester stuffing
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Gauge:

4 rounds of single crochet should measure approximately 2 inches in diameter.

Abbreviations:

• ch = chain
• sc = single crochet
• inc = increase (2 sc in same stitch)
• dec = decrease (single crochet two together)
• sl st = slip stitch
• st = stitch
• R = round

Instructions:

Body:

With red yarn, start with a magic ring.

1. R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
4. R4-R8: sc in each st around (18)
5. R9: (sc, dec) around (12)
6. Stuff the body lightly with polyester stuffing.
7. R10: dec around (6)
8. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Head:

With black yarn, make a magic ring.

1. R1: 6 sc in magic ring (6)
2. R2: inc in each st around (12)
3. R3: (sc, inc) around (18)
4. R4: sc in each st around (18)
5. R5: dec around (9)
6. Stuff lightly. R6: dec until closed.
7. Fasten off and leave a tail for sewing.

Antennae:

(Make 2)

1. With black yarn, ch 5, and sc back down the chain (4).
2. Fasten off, leaving a tail for sewing.

Assembly:

1. Attach safety eyes to the head.
2. Sew the head onto the body.
3. Attach antennae on top of the head.
4. Using black yarn, create small black dots on the body with a slip stitch technique, sewing them randomly around the red area.
5. Weave in any remaining ends.

Care Instructions:

Hand wash only, lay flat to dry.

Happy Crocheting!